OCEANSIDE: Citizen of the Year awarded to local philanthropist

For the first time in 25 years, Oceanside has a new Citizen of the Year.

Long-time resident and community leader Tom Nunan, 79, was selected for the recently revived honor for his many philanthropic achievements.

"I (was) very moved by the experience," said Nunan in an interview last week.

The award was presented to Nunan at the Oceanside Rotary Club's 12th annual crab and rib fest on Aug. 3 at the Mission San Luis Rey. The mission is one of many organizations that have benefited from Nunan's tireless work.

Members of the selection committee said they chose Nunan over seven other nominees because of the sheer scope of his philanthropy.

"I think what set him aside is the great number of organizations that he was in, and the quality of the not-for-profits he worked for," said Kevin Stotmeister, a member of the committee. "They were significant."

Among other things, Nunan is a founder of the Oceanside Charitable Foundation and the Old Mission San Luis Rey Historical Foundation and an active member of St. Mary's Church and the Oceanside Economic Development Commission.

The mission is close to his heart, as is the ongoing work to retrofit the historic mission building.

Nunan and his wife, Billie, have lived in Oceanside for roughly two decades, moving here near the end of his long career in the energy business.

Chief among Nunan's many achievements in the city was his role in raising $5.8 million to fund an addition to the Oceanside Museum of Art.

"(Tom won the award) because of his rising desire to make Oceanside a better place for everyone that lives here," said Larry Hatter, a longtime friend and colleague.

In 1975, the North County Blade-Tribune ---- the predecessor to the North County Times ---- started a Citizen of the Year award for each city it covered, including Oceanside. The paper discontinued the practice in 1995.

The Rotary Club picked it up this year, in part because club president Mike Curtin wanted to separate his group's annual fundraising dinner from the other charity events out there. Hatter suggested relaunching the Citizen of the Year award.

"Attendees responded to the concept extremely well," said Curtin.

The event drew around 400 attendees at $50 a head. In a surprise announcement, the Oceanside Rotary Foundation (a separate organization) donated $10,000 to the event.

An exact donation total hasn't been calculated, but Curtin hopes that the event generated between $25,000 to $50,000 to benefit Oceanside High School.

The Citizen of the Year Award is a rebooted tradition that will continue in the coming years.

"Really, it's a very successful event," said Curtin. "Just a fantastic job."